Cruzee Balance Bike Review

Welcome to our comprehensive review of the Cruzee Balance Bike for kids.

Cruzee Specifications

• Product: Cruzee Lightweight Aluminium Alloy Balance Bike
• Recommended For: lightweight, smaller rider’s
• Price + Cheapest Place to Buy: AUS $291.59 at Amazon.com.au
• Age-Range: 18-months to 5 years
• Frame + Tires: Anodized Aluminium + foam rubber airless tires
• Wheel Size: 12″
• Seat Height Range: 11″ – 19″ (28 – 48cm)
• Handlebar Adjustment: 5″
• Bike Weight: 1.9kg (4.4lbs)
• Warranty: Lifetime for original owner
• Footrests: Yes
• Brake: No
• Steering Limiter: No
• Overall Rating: 9 / 10

We are about to ride deep into a comprehensive review of the Cruzee Balance Bike. But before we do, let’s set the scene for you and provide you with a quick introduction to Cruzee Bikes, their motivations, products and commitment.

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Cruzee’s Story

The organization known as Cruzee Bikes has been created and inspired by merging two passions. First, the bikes have been built by parents wanting the best for their kids and second, a unique skill-set and passion for bicycle development.

Cruzee Balance Bikes then focused on the idea of creating a bike that excels in all areas, while maintaining affordability and easy access. In addition, they wanted to promote a clean and safe environment while producing such a wonderfully simple, fun toy that is dynamite for kids to learn how to ride.

Therefore, Cruzee have paid particular attention to the production process to ensure their products are both sustainable and environmentally friendly. Overall, this little beauty promises some pretty impressive features for the rider.

A timely note is worth mentioning here. At the time of writing, Cruzee are no longer available in the USA. That being said, we see that Cruzee do have international distributors across the globe including Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Germany, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Thailand, Veit Nam, Russia, Ukraine and China.

Enough of the history, let’s get into the good stuff. Within our comprehensive review into the Cruzee Balance Bike we will be diving into the following elements;

1. What we really liked about the Cruzee balance bike
2. What didn’t we particularly like about the Cruzee balance bike
3. How the Cruzee balance bike compares to others in its class, and
4. Our final assessment and conclusions

Our goal for this article is to leave you feeling empowered and knowledgeable with the best information about whether the Cruzee balance bike would be a wonderful choice for your unique little rider.

Not all balance bikes are created equal and, ALL riders are unique.

Therefore, its important that we, as parents, do our research to ensure we pair-up our future riding champions with the right balance bike to suit their needs.

We hope this article enables you to do exactly that.

We invite you now to read-on and enjoy our latest post, the Cruzee Balance Bike Review.

Cruzee Balance Bike Review Summary

What We Really Liked About the Cruzee

• ultra lightweight at 1.9kgs, therefore easy to manoeuvre, learn on and carry + less likely to hurt child in an accident
• widest range available of tool-free seat and handlebar adjustment (8″ and 5″ respectively)
• exceptionally durable anodized aluminium alloy frame
• maintenance free, puncture proof foam tires
• frame has low-profile, flat axle bolts and rounded frame components helping keep hands and feet safe
• limited (to original owner) lifetime warranty
• 9 rocking aesthetic colours to choose from

What Didn’t We Particularly Like about the Cruzee

• no handbrake
• handlebar alignment requires checking after a fall
• aluminium finish scratches easily
• not suited for heavier, more adventurous rider’s

Cruzee Comprehensive Review

It’s time to expand on the above points and provide you with greater detail into the Cruzee balance bike, so that you’re fully confident in making the right choice whether this bike may suit your future riding champion.

What We Liked About the Cruzee and Why?

Ultra Lightweight
The headline introducing this section says it all. This bike claims to be the lightest balance bike in the world!

At 1.9kg, the ultralight Cruzee balance bike makes learning how to ride a simpler task. Even the smallest of riders will find the bike easy to learn on, manoeuvre, steer and when necessary, pick-up after a fall and get riding again.

We have witnessed first-hand the ease of control and learning for even the smallest of rider’s and those who are toward the younger age-range just starting out (18 months+). Essentially, the ultralight bike contributes to greater confidence, less frustration and more fun as they enjoy the wonderfully liberating feeling of riding a bike for the first time.

Of course, an added bonus is that its super-light for mum’s and dads to pick-up and carry too!

Wide-range Seat and Handlebar Adjustments

Another important feature is the huge seat and handlebar adjustment capabilities. Again, Cruzee claim to have designed a bike with the widest adjustability available in the balance bike world.

There are 9″ of seat-range and 5″ of handlebar-range adjustments that can be made as your child grows with your bike. All things being equal, this should allow your child to start riding the Cruzee at 18-months of age, grow and still have the perfect fitting bike up to the recommended age limit of 5 years.

These adjustment capabilities are truly beneficial and kudos should be extended to the Cruzee development team for this function.

But why is this function so important?

Quite simply, this does allow for parents to quickly adjust the two most important balance bike features that directly influence bike sizing and fit.

And this should not be overlooked nor underestimated in their potential to improve balance bike safety and fun!

** Note: during assembly, be sure to keep downward pressure on the handlebars and handlebar clamp before tightening the handlebar quick-release clamp. This downward pressure will ensure there is no gap between the handlebar rubber ring, and frame and makes for a snug, well-fitted fork.

Durable Aluminum, Anodized Alloy Frame

The Cruzee frame is made from aluminum alloy that will not chip or rust.

Anodized aluminum has basically gone through a process that thickens the naturally occurring protective layer of oxide that it already contains.

This process of anodization enhances the protective properties already being offered by the oxide layer. This process is also perfect for dye application, leaving a finish that will not fade nor peel away, producing a ripping shiny finish.

Be aware however, the surface does scratch. Cruzee have now added plastic coated stickers which help to protect the bikes more vulnerable sections of the frame.

A further note worth mentioning is the quick-release clamps are also made of aluminum. This addition ensures the truthfulness of Cruzee’s claim that their balance bike is completely rust-proof!

Maintenance Free, Puncture Proof Foam Tires

The Cruzee rolls on 12″ plastic wheels with cartridge sealed bearings and EVA foam rubber tires. These tires are said to be maintenance free, as they don’t require any inflation or servicing.

We have found the EVA foam tires to perform great on pavements, grass, sand, and hard-packed gravel, allowing the rider to really punch through and over these surfaces with relative ease, particularly if they are an energetic little rider.

However, for more intrepid riders who are a little older, the support and enhanced traction provided by air tires would be better suited.

Low-profile, flat Axle Bolts and Rounded Frame Edges

This feature really stands out in comparison to other balance bikes on the market (see image).

The Cruzee is complete with low profile, flat axle bolts that leave no protruding bike-bits to catch onto a rider’s body or clothing.

In addition, the simple frame has rounded edges throughout, providing a simple, clean and safe balance bike that is ahead of its competitors in its class, such as the Strider and GOMO.

Lifetime Warranty

Gee, not much more needs to be said here.

This is a great testimony to the Cruzee manufacturers that they are willing to stand behind their product offering such a generous warranty. We like it!

** Note: This restricted lifetime warranty only applies to the original owners.

9 Rocking Colours

For most of us who ride bikes (and yes this most definitely includes yours truly) we just love to show a bit of bike-bling at times.

The Cruzee comes in 9 very bright, anodized colors that definitely display that bit of spunk and will be sure to light-up the eyes of any child who sees them.

We like the fact that there are so many colors available so that your child will certainly be able to match their bike with their favorite color.

What Didn’t We Particularly Like about the Cruzee and Why?

No Handbrake

The majority of balance bikes on the market do not supply a handbrake as this is not considered an essential item and their usefulness is certainly a great topic for debate.

We have stated before in prior articles (see our post Balance Bike Buyers Guide for example) that we do recommend purchasing a balance bike with a brake if this is within your budget. There are multiple reasons for the inclusion of a brake including;

• fast-tracking this very important skill of learning to use a hand-brake
• development of fine motor skills inherent to using a hand-brake
• development of gross motor skills related to using a hand-brake
• specific physical and cognitive development required when riding and using a hand-brake
• increased safety and decreased reliance on using feet as a braking mechanism
• makes for an even smoother transition to a pedal bike with brakes in future

FirstBike (USA) and (AUS) – an example of a balance bike with a hand brake!

This list is certainly not comprehensive, but it does at least give you an idea and hopefully, a WOW moment that makes you stop and think, gee, using a hand brake is a very important component of learning to ride a bike!

Handlebar Alignment Requires Checking After a Fall

This is certainly not something that is exclusive to the Cruzee.

However, if the handlebar clamp is not adjusted nice and firm, so that the quick-release clamp is closed very tightly, you will find that after every fall, or even the more gentle drop of the bike as your child run’s over to play at the nearest playground kind of fall (you know the one I’m talking about here) the handlebar alignment will require correction.

This can be a little frustrating for the parents, however on the flip side, this frustration does have a silver lining.

During a fall if the handlebars splay flat and parallel to the ground, it makes it less likely to cause further injury to the rider if they land on the handlebars.

In effect, this is a positive safety characteristic and one that parallels the manufacturers reasoning for not including a steering limiter on the Cruzee.

Overall, we understand the safety benefits provided, but nonetheless include this as a less-than ideal situation for parents who may be struggling with the balance bike mechanics necessary to make these continual adjustments.

Aluminum Finish Scratches Easily

Although the bike looks resplendent in its anodized aluminum finish that is rust and chip-proof, it does scratch quite easily. Luckily for us, since 2018, the Cruzee now comes with plastic scratch-guards on both sides of the fork and frame.

That being said, be warmed that even tho this bike has been skillfully welded and is exceptionally durable, its not totally kid-proof and will show signs of wear and tear if mistreated.

Like all toys, we recommend parents to always teach their little rider’s the basics of balance bike maintenance and care alongside their bike riding education.

Not Suited for Heavier, Adventurous Rider’s

This is worth mentioning if your child is a little towards the older-side of Cruzee’s recommended 18-month to 5-year age-range.

As children grow, they naturally get-stronger, more daring and creative. This transfers naturally to the realms of the bike riding world. On a bike, this simply means more aggressive, faster movements, tricks and even jumps.

Because the Cruzee is so light (1.9kg) you can imagine the relative ease that a 5-year-old experienced rider would have in taking the Cruzee through its paces and the impact this will be having on the bike’s structural components.

Therefore, we recommend the Cruzee for lighter, beginner riders closer to the 18-month / 2-year age-group as they will be learning on such a light, well-designed bike, developing their skills at their own pace for years to come.

How The Cruzee Compares to Other Balance Bikes in its Class

The Cruzee is priced in the mid-to-upper range of the balance bike market.

Our list below is certainly not extensive, as we believe it doesn’t need to be. You already know the key features of the Cruzee and more importantly, you know your little rider.

Therefore, we just wanted to provide you with a glimpse of similar bikes on the market that are comparable to the Cruzee and that are worth considering before making your final choice.

Strider 12 Pro Balance Bike – Price: US $189.99 (AUS $267.00)

Features include flat-free foam rubber tires, maintenance free sealed cartridge wheel bearings, aluminum frame (2.5kg), NO hand brake, easy adjust clamp seat (11-19″) and handlebar adjustments (18-22″), performance footrests, 2-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects, suits 18 months to 5 years.

Vitus Nippy Superlight Balance Bike – Price: AUS $78

Featuring flat-free foam tires, 10″ mag-wheels, tool required for seat (12-15″) and handlebar adjustments, aluminum frame (1.9kg), NO hand brake, functional footrests, 5-year frame warranty and extended 2-year warranty on components, suits 18-month to 4 years.

Vuly 12″ Balance Bike – Price: AUS $149.00

Featuring pneumatic tires, 12″ wheels, quick-release saddle adjustment, NO handlebar adjustment, magnesium alloy frame (3.2kg) that’s durable and rustproof, NO handbrake, well-positioned footrests, seat has integrated grab handle for teaching, warranties of 5-years (fork and frame) + 2-years for other components + 1-year for accessories.

You can see from the above list that these prices vary considerably for what we would call a superlight balance bike. They have been presented here because of this key feature.

The Strider 12 Pro would be the closest rival to the Cruzee, as these share very similar features and price-points and, in our view, these would be our top picks in the superlight balance bike market.

As always, we encourage you to use this review to help you better understand the products you’re looking at purchasing. We wish to make your shopping experience fun because you are well-prepared and super knowledgeable in the world of balance bikes.

One final point. We encourage you to do your own, in depth research, then match the most suitable balance bike to your unique little rider.

Overall ilovetoridemybike.com Conclusion

Thank you for taking the time to read this far into our latest post, Cruzee Balance Bike Review. We hope that you have found this useful and are left feeling empowered and confident in whether the Cruzee might be best for your child.

We absolutely commend you, yes YOU, for taking the time to learn and educate yourself as parents who want not only the best for their child, but for taking another great step into finding the most suited balance bike for your unique rider.

Don’t underestimate the positive impact this will have. Not only are you introducing your child to their first bike, but you are essentially providing them with a developmental powerhouse of a toy that is so much fun!

We invite you to leave your comments or questions below as we are here to help you regarding the world of balance bikes and love to here all about your riding experiences.

Ride safe, have fun!